Church of The Word | Sunday Sermons

Jacob is nearing the end of his life. He gathers his sons together, not just to say goodbye, but to speak prophetic blessings that will shape their future as the tribes of Israel. He tells them plainly what will come in the “days to come.” Some words sound like curses more than blessings. Others overflow with promise. But all of them show that God sovereignly calls and equips His people differently to fulfill His purposes.

Unequ...

In Genesis 49, Jacob nears the end of his life and speaks prophetic blessings over his sons. These blessings are not mere words of wishful thinking; they are the Spirit-inspired voice of God, declaring what will come to pass. Among the twelve, Judah receives a prophecy that stands out because from his line will come the Messiah—Jesus Christ—whom Revelation calls the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

The Lion Motif in ...

When Jesus called James and John the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), it wasn’t a compliment to their patience and gentleness. It pointed to their hotheaded zeal—fiery brothers who once asked if they should call fire down from heaven on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54). They loved Christ, but their anger often boiled over.

In Genesis 49, we see two other “sons of thunder”—Simeon and Levi. As Jacob speaks his last words over his son...

Genesis 49 records Jacob’s final words to his sons. As he gathers them around his deathbed, he pronounces blessings that are more than mere wishes of an old father—they are prophetic declarations from God Himself. These words look far into the future, stretching from the tribes of Israel to the coming of Christ.

And in this moment, the question is raised: who will carry the right of the firstborn? Who will be the true heir?

R...

The closing chapters of Genesis offer us a profound glimpse into Jacob’s final days and his legacy for future generations. His perspective is not merely about his immediate children, but about his children’s children. In this passage, the Spirit confronts us with an often-overlooked truth: Christians are called to think multi-generationally.

Recovering Multi-Generational Vision

For much of church history, believers lived and ...

The closing chapters of Genesis bring the family of Israel into Egypt—a move that will shape the story of redemption for centuries. At first glance, the text is full of politics, famine, and practical arrangements for survival. But woven through the narrative is a deep reminder of two things: the Lord is our Shepherd, and His people are called to reflect His character.

Despised Yet Preserved

Joseph instructs his brothers to ide...

Genesis 46 marks a significant transition. The long arc of Joseph’s story is nearing its end, and with it, the Book of Genesis begins to close. Jacob, now an old man, is about to leave the land of Canaan and journey into Egypt—a place that will shape the future of his descendants for generations.

At the heart of this chapter is a single powerful truth: God keeps His promises. Even when the path forward is uncertain or painful, G...

When reading Genesis 44, it’s tempting to call it a story. We’re used to saying “Bible stories,” especially when teaching kids. But this isn’t just a story—it’s history. Real people, real sin, real redemption. And more than that, it’s history that points to the bigger story: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Genesis 44, Joseph is no longer the scared teenager thrown into a pit. He’s the second most powerful man in Egypt, and he’s b...

Joseph’s life has been marked by betrayal, suffering, and astonishing reversals:

Sold into slavery by his own brothers.

Falsely accused and imprisoned in Egypt.

Then suddenly lifted to the highest office under Pharaoh—ruler over the entire land.

He is now 38 years old.

Twenty-two years have passed since he last saw the faces of his brothers.

And although he has named one of his sons Manasseh—“God has made me forget ...

On Memorial Day weekend, when the nation pauses to honor those who laid down their lives in war, the story of Joseph in Genesis 40 reminds us how easily human beings forget—even in moments of profound kindness and promise. In the shadow of graves decorated with flags and flowers, another kind of memorial rises from the pages of Scripture: the silent prayer of a prisoner who simply says, “Remember me.”

A World That Forgets

Genes...

In this sermon, we dive deep into the account of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. Exploring how his life's journey from affliction to exaltation foreshadows Jesus Christ's own path. This episode highlights the prophetic nature of Scripture, demonstrating God's impeccable track record in fulfilling His promises. Join us as we reflect on Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, and draw parallels to the life, sac...

Father’s Day is a time often filled with reflection—on parenthood, legacy, and the influence of fathers. For some, it’s a day of celebration. For others, a day of mixed emotions. But for all believers, it’s an opportunity to look beyond earthly fatherhood to the perfect and unchanging love of our Heavenly Father.

This week’s message draws from Proverbs 3, a chapter rich in wisdom and bursting with promises. Whether a father, a m...

Turning to the Word: Who Is Israel?

This week, I stepped away from our Genesis series to address something timely.

In the past week, I heard an interview between Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz. Senator Cruz said one of his motivations for foreign policy decisions was the conviction he learned in Sunday school to “bless Israel.”

This phrase—bless Israel—has shaped a lot of Christian thinking. Sometimes it’s invoked witho...

we return to Genesis chapter 42, continuing the remarkable story of Joseph.

At this point in the narrative, 22 years have passed since that fateful day when Joseph’s brothers betrayed him:

They stripped him of his robe, the sign of their father’s favor.

They threw him into a pit.

They sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites headed to Egypt.

Then, they slaughtered an animal, dipped Joseph’s robe in the blood, and present...

This week we return to Genesis 41, picking up in the middle of the chapter where Joseph is finally lifted from the dungeon and exalted to Pharaoh’s right hand. Last time, we explored the narrative from one angle—this time, we’re looking again with fresh eyes, through the rich lens of biblical theology and Christ-centered application.

Some might wonder why we revisit the same chapter or approach it from different angles. Isn’t on...

Genesis 39 is a remarkable chapter. At first glance, it’s a story of injustice—Joseph, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and falsely accused, lands in prison. But woven throughout the chapter is one simple, powerful phrase:

“The Lord was with Joseph.”

That changes everything.

From Privilege to Pit

Joseph was once the favored son of Jacob, clothed in a richly colored robe and entrusted with authority beyond his ...

In this sermon, Pastor Sheffer delves into Genesis chapter 38, an often overlooked passage that holds profound implications. Through the story of Judah, the pastor explores themes of moral descent, estrangement from God, and eventual redemption. He highlights the significance of Judah's lineage as it leads to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Pastor Sheffer emphasizes the consequences of embracing deception and living in sin, while also u...

In this sermon by Pastor Sheffer, we explore the remarkable parallels between the lives of Joseph and Jesus Christ as depicted in Genesis 37. Pastor Sheffer delves into the themes of favoritism, hatred, anger, envy, and the destructive nature of these emotions. He also discusses the practical implications of partiality and egalitarianism in our lives. The message focuses on the typology of Joseph's story, foreshadowing the life and...

On this Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the greatest event in all of history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This moment is not just a spiritual turning point, but the ultimate declaration of victory over sin, death, and Satan. It is both our Independence Day from darkness and our Assurance Day in grace. The resurrection is not myth or metaphor—it is a historical fact, attested to by eyewitnesses who sealed their testimony with...